Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to our company and to our unique architectural approach. We hope this website explains how we do what we do and and how we do it, but most of all we hope it will inspire and excite you. HofmanDujardin was founded in 1999. Since then, we have completed a wide range of architectural, interior and product design projects. Our clients include property developers, housing corporations, multinational corporations, law firms and private families, for whom we create dynamic and ground-breaking spaces, helping people to work well and feel good. Please feel free to contact us to meet the team and to discuss ideas, projects and possibilities.

Studio

The office is located in the ancient harbor district of Amsterdam. From December 2017 we will move to our new 1200m² office villa which is currently under construction. With an experienced, enthusiastic and powerful team of architects and interior designers we put all our energy and effort in creating inspiring buildings and interiors. We merge the goals and dreams of our clients with our ideas of quality and create marvelous places to be. Since 1999 we work on a large variety of projects. We gained experience in the realization of architectural projects, renovations, interior design projects and product designs. Below you find a more specific explanation of the design approach and process of each of our services. We are ambitious and motivated, if your required service is not listed below please don’t hesitate to contact us. We want to learn and broaden our horizon.

Team

The HofmanDujardin team is a multi-disciplinary international group of approximately 30 architects, interior architects, draftsmen and interns with different background and university education. In the studio we speak fluently English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. We can deliver our services in any of these languages. The office has a horizontal approachable organization.

Shaping Intuition®

Our approach to architecture focuses on the well-being of the human being in his environment. Over the years, a guiding concept we call Shaping Intuition® has emerged naturally from our work. Intuition is the natural balance of the human being in nature—the needs every human being has in their surroundings that may be fulfilled by architecture. These basic needs are:

Spaciousness is the experience of freedom in a space; the ability to “breathe.” The presence of light and air animates a feeling of spaciousness.

Groundedness is the feeling of security in a space. Feeling at ease in a setting is the experience of peace and comfort.

Expression is what commands our attention and stimulates us. Like art, it is a trigger or surprise that stimulates feeling and insight, or enhances creativity. Expression is powerful.

Connection is the sequential relation between spaces, both interior and exterior. Connection may be physical and visual. Connection stimulates the interaction between spaces, between interior and exterior and among people. Connection creates an adventurous experience of one’s surroundings.

We all need a natural balance among these elements. In our work, we give people the individual opportunity to harmonize the qualities of spaciousness, groundedness, expression and connection.

Shaping corresponds to culture, and to the creation of an environment that meets those intuitive needs. Our work is guided by the following cultural values:

Clarity is the beauty of simplicity. What we do must be easy to perceive, and be understood in a natural way. The elegance of simplicity is the sign of successful design.

Quality is value. We build what will last. We have high standards, and aim for timelessness.

Personality is the authentic character of a project. This emerges from context, setting or client identity. Personality is also unique expression of our customized service.

Inspiration sparks all of us. It touches everybody who is involved in the creation and use of the buildings, interiors and products we design. Inspiration is both the foundation of what we do, and the result we wish to achieve.

Book Shaping Intuition® with text and interview by Susan de Sola, design by Erik Rikkelman, photography by Matthijs van Roon, visualizations by A2 Studio and publication by Terra. The book is available from 17 November 2016.

Experience and services

Collective housing and CPO

Villa design

Office and workplace design

Residential interior design

Offshore interior design

Hospitality design

Renovation

Product design

Interview

To give you a personal impression of our ideas, our vision and our work ethics we publish an interview from an international design magazine.

What is your motivation for working in the industry of architecture so far? What is your feeling about this industry?
We started our architecture studies in 1990. Barbara studied in Versailles, Paris and Milan. Michiel studied in Delft and Milan. Our chief motivation is architecture’s beautiful mix of science and sociology. Architecture as an industry has been not very successful over the last decade. Unfortunately architects have not taken the responsibility. Architects seem now to rely on an top down aesthetic approach towards built environments. We think architecture is not about buildings but about people. Architects seem to forget this, and clients and users are surprised by it. Architects need to reclaim a more authentic position and design for the intuitive well being of people. While realizing this, they still need to make their work beautiful.

architecture is not about buildings,
it is about people.

HofmanDujardin

Founding partners Michiel Hofman and Barbara Dujardin

As for an architect, what quality do you think is the most important?
Our approach is to create surroundings where people feel good based on their intuition. People have an affinity for the balance they find in nature; we still desire natural elements. In architecture this means people need to find a balance in built surroundings which offers light and air, protection and comfort, surprise and action, and connection … connection between people, between spaces, between inside and outside and between culture and nature. In all of our designs the intuition of people has the highest priority. Also, our designs are always an extension of our personalities; we strive for clarity, quality, integrity and creativity.

Which part of work do you think is the most interesting in architecture?
The dialogue with the people around us, working together to design, collectively, great places which will inspire people.

What will you do when your work meets difficulty and pressure?
We stay relaxed and focused. We guide the project to a good conclusion with always the interests of the client and the user in mind.

Do you participate in the operation of your team? How do you think about team operation and team spirit?
Yes, we work very closely with our team. We maximize individual qualities but with an overwhelming sense of teamwork. Team spirit is a crucial aspect of our office. We see it as our task to integrate everybody who is involved in the project as an important team member. The client, the contractor, the advisers, the end users, they are all crucial in the realization of a great project. So, the team is always larger and more important than its individual members.

What do you think makes you/your team different? What is your/your team’s core competence?
What makes the difference is our approach, the way we create spaces by understanding people’s intuition. We design and realize projects for people. We understand people in their surroundings; we know what makes them feel good. An architect needs first to understand people, then buildings.

Do you have persistent vision of architecture from then till now? What is it? Why?
Yes, our vision has developed over the past 16 years of practicing architecture. We shape surroundings for people that communicate with their intuition.

What kind of architecture do you think is an inspiring building?
Many buildings inspire but that inspiration is not related to a specific style or period.

Do you have an identical “HofmanDujardin” element in all your projects?
Yes, one element that runs through all the spaces we design is the idea of understanding the way people intuitively perceive the world around them (their needs and desires) and echoing the balance that nature has perfected. We believe people require shelter, space, connection and entertainment.

Do you want to challenge any kind of project you have never done before? What is it?
We are preparing ourselves to design international airports. These are the cities of the future where human intuition is of vital importance. Our vision should certainly be projected on these large-scale international projects.

Could you tell me which your favorite books are?
Two favourite books are Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse and Identity by Milan Kundera. Hesse’s book is about the balance of rationality and sensitivity. Kundera’s is about two lovers’ perceptions of a similar situation. Both books show the human necessity for empathy for opposite feelings and approaches.

Could you share your travelling stories with us?
We travel a lot for work and in our private life. Recently Barbara went to Japan and Brussels to represent the office. During the last two months I travelled to Seoul, Shanghai, Istanbul and Paris. Currently I am in Beirut for the finalization of the project The Cube which we designed with Orange Architects. Evidently travelling opens our minds and give us ideas and inspiration but we also have a focus on our local projects in The Netherlands.

Why do you think “Inspiring” is so important in your concept?
In any project inspiration is the most valuable. I think architecture has to inspire people, has to give people a positive energy and vibration. With inspiration everything is possible. Inspiration triggers fantasy, love, dreams, goals, energy, etc.. In the design process we want to inspire the client with a fabulous project. After realization of the project we want to inspire the people inside the buildings.

What kind of design concept is inspiring? Green, comfortable, high-technical or more?
Every design which touches people is inspiring. The kind of project does not matter. Inspiration is one of our most profound sources of energy. Any design is able to touch people, it is not related to scale, client or context.

Do you hope that your inspiring spaces and products can inspire people to enhance life by themselves too?
Of course, that is what it is all about. Inspiring people around us is what makes us move. We want to inspire on every level, we inspire our clients, our employees, our contractors, our users. Inspiration is what makes people activate, feel alive.

Why do you have the idea to create the Bloomframe® Window? Is it related to your inspiring concept?
One of our projects which inspires people, what triggers their imagination is the Bloomframe®, a window frame which transforms into a balcony. The Bloomframe® window offers a beautiful open outdoor space in a situation an apartment does not have a balcony or terrace. It is fascinating to see that the facade transforms and offers you a place in the open air to relax, enjoy the sun and take a cup of coffee.

Awards

Since the foundation of the office our projects and ideas have been granted several international design awards.

1st prize Wallpaper Design Award 2009 most life enhancing product

The New York Times selected the Bloomframe balcony for the top 10 best ideas 2008